By RON LANE
ON Friday afternoon at 4pm it became official – all matters regarding the amalgamation of the Noosa Heads and Peregian Beach Surf Life Saving Clubs were finalised – both clubs are now working as one.
Noosa club captain Joe Cirello said: “Now we are working together the relationship between our two groups is very good and our patrol rosters are fine. In other words we have achieved what we set out to do.”
Sunshine reported another quite weekend with windy conditions keeping a lot of people away. However the Nippers braved the conditions and a full-on program was conducted.
With Noosa’s Main Beach being protected from the winds big crowds were in attendance and the nippers were busy.
For the competitors, this weekend will be busy with our clubbies travelling to the Gold Coast to contest the Coolangatta Gold. Noosa will be represented by a team of eight; four masters, three ladies in the open ladies’ division, and one male in the open men’s. Sunshine Beach young rookie Tom Wilson will contest his first ever Gold in the under-19 division. We wish them well.
At Noosa on Saturday, 21 members, officials, coaches, rowers and supporters assembled for the first full on meeting of the surf boat section. Boat captain Phil Bowden welcomed the members and following this head boat coach Dave Toombie chaired the meeting.
Right from the start Toombie came across as being organised and up front and his opening remark, “I am here to listen,” certainly set the pattern. He went on to speak of the importance of a well-balanced program, with everyone having input regarding all aspects of training. He then emphasised the importance of a good structure.
“Not only is this necessary for all crews but it will also help to attract new members.” He added: “To win we must always have an open and honest philosophy.”
With so much of today’s rescue work revolving around the Inflatable Rescue Boat, (IRB) it followers that to have all crewies and drivers trained to their full capacity they must participate in IRB racing. Because patrol duties require their attendance at their respective beaches during the summer months, their carnivals are held in winter.
To update Noosa’s ideas on training and techniques, IRB officials David James and Chris Vaughan invited State Centre competition advisor Michael Cook to Noosa to conduct a training session.
Also attending was Sunshine Beach IRB officer Paul Brady who at present is training for his Level 1 coaching certificate.
With 16 members in attendance Cook started by explaining the rules and requirements of racing. Moving to the boats, the crewies were taught the importance of body positions and boarding the craft. Drivers discussed in depth, control of the boats, reading the surf and manipulating the break.
Factors such as these are not only important in racing but also in rescue situations. A quick response time in leaving the beach and the ability to correctly read the breaking surf that they must navigate could mean the difference between life and death.
Among the crewies were six girls, and despite the average age being 17 they really were a match for the young men.
When asked what their parents felt regarding their patrol work, they were all unanimous that at first the parents were a bit nervous but were now happy with the situation.
The fact that not only Noosa, but all other clubs in Australia, have young girls who are prepared to go in harm’s way to perform their duty as patrolling lifesavers, speaks volumes for the type of youth now joining our organisation.
